Shining a little light on various authors

I placed this symbol for GoodReads instead of a picture of me or some book. You might have noticed that I post a lot of author's work on this post. I am a firm believer in the million of readers out there being exposed to these newer faces and their work. If you noticed, I don't stick with one particular genre but jump all over the place. From religious to fantasy, don't let my taste in reading material being forced upon you. By doing so, I have been surprised to find even though the subject matter might not be one that interest me, the writers have written a very good story that keeps me interested from beginning to end. That is why you don't see many one or two star ratings for books I have reviewed. If it doesn't grab me in the first few pages and hold on to me, I don't finish the book, hence, no rating. Sometimes the subject matter makes it difficult to hold my attention such as vampire, werewolves and living dead. I have read and rating a few of these books only because the author presented the story in such a way that I stayed interested. 

How many books have you read that lost you right away? I hope you didn't buy the book and waste your money on it. Most of the books I read are donated to me for my review so I am normally not out anything since I don't get paid to review a book. The main problem an author has with me reviewing a book, is the wait list is long but I will get to them. I have some books on my list to review that have been there for over a year. I will get to them but sometimes a newer book catches my interest right away and it gets to jump to the top of the list. 

When I review a book, normally it gets placed on my blog within a month of reading it. I then try to put it on Amazon and/or GoodReads. Sometimes I am a little slow about posting to GoodReads. I have only a few requests to post on Smashwords and never any for Nook.

Some of you have asked where you can follow me or connect with me so I will include my other addresses: google https://plus.google.com/112198287464668940516/

linkedin http:///www.linkedin.com/pub/a-g-moye/53/850/628

goodreads http://w.w.w.goodreads.com/agmoye

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Author.A.G.Moye

website: http://sites.google.com/site/booksbyagmoye

One of my blogsites http://booksbyagmoye.blogspot.com 

on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/agmoye 

on Smashwords at http://smashwords.com/agmoye

on Mars is http://marsocial.com/groups/Lightning-Chronicles/

my Wordpress blog is http://lightningbooksbyagmoye.wordpress.com

new Wordpress blog is http://booksbyagmoye.wordpress.com

email address is  agmoye.moye406@gmail.com

Twitter address is :http://twitter.com/Agmoye

            

  Just drop by and I will friend with no problem. Talk back, I'm listening!

To Dance with Ugly People by Lorene Stunson Hill - Guest Post

This book has a four star average rating on Amazon. I originally posted this April, 2014 for Lorene Stunson Hill and needed updating do to new links with a new publisher.  

Book Excerpt:

To Whom It May Concern:

Big Mama had lovely soft skin, like silk.  I would crawl into her lap, when she allowed, my cheek pillowed on her breast.  It was like sinking into a comfortable sofa.  I would lay still against her, because if I squirmed too much, she would put me down off her lap.  I loved caressing her fleshy arms, rubbing her plump belly with my fingertips as I dozed off. I heard people say she looked white.  My skin was as white as Big Mama’s.  If there was anything in my life I was sure of, we were not white.  Black people were referred to as Negro, colored or worse, but we were not white.  I didn’t understand how significant that was; how tormented my own life would be, until I started school.

Big Mama said she and her second husband, a stout man as black as shoe polish (Mama’s Daddy) were run out of Alabama because white people felt she looked too white, like an interracial couple.  Big Mama’s first husband, hung by an angry mob, was something Big Mama would not discuss.  She said after she and her second husband settled in Detroit, he vanished - my Mama was a babe in arms.  She said she wasn’t surprised.  When she married him, it had mostly been a “longing.”  A kind of possession that did nothing to relieve the troubles they were having.  She already had six children and then four more for him. 

Big Mama’s mother was half black and half white, married to a half black and half white man.  She felt my knowing our heritage was important. My great great-grandfather was a white plantation owner, who had lived in a beautiful white mansion.  He owned my great-great grandmother who slaved in her master’s kitchen, but went home, at night, to an old ugly run down shanty to join her husband and children.  Her master would visit the shanty to lay with her while her husband stood by helpless, a vile act, nearly driving him out of his mind.  Big Mama said the reverend would have to chase him down the dirt road and hold him.  One day they found him hanging from a tree, his mother never speaking another word.  I saw an old, fragile, yellowing picture of him, my great-great- grandfather, once.  I was too young then to understand slavery. He has been just a very tall, slender and mean looking white man to me.

I didn’t care if my Big Mama looked white, she was always very beautiful to me.  My Mama, if it wasn’t for the fact that she wore Big Mama’s eyes and high cheekbones, you wouldn’t think she was Big Mama’s daughter.  But, she was Big Mama’s baby girl, the youngest child and only daughter out of her ten children.  Big Mama is so large and Mama so small was why we called my grandmother Big Mama.  My uncles called Mama “Little Mama.”  I rarely saw my uncles, most of them lived out of state.  They would surprise us and come to town.  I’d hear a knock at the door, open it and happily jump into their arms.

Book Description:  New Adult, Best Seller African American Women's Fiction, Romantic Roller Coaster

 “To Dance with Ugly People," tells the harrowing story of Dani Ransom's travels down several dark paths.  She experiences the ravages of drug abuse, suffers psychological cruelty, and the fanatical abusive love of her husband Dane.  Experience Dani Ransom “Living on the Edge.” Understand the narcissist hold of Dane on Dani.   Witness the chaos of Dani Ransom’s mind.  Troubled by man versus women, she makes many wrong decisions.   Exhausted by the collapse of every aspect of her life, can she save herself and overcome the shadows of darkness that follows her?  Once divorced, she finally finds the love of her life, her greatest muse, an older man, Chance Wiley, but even when she strives to travel the right path, fate steps in.  Haunted by her own personal ghosts she can't live life to its fullest.  Is fate everywhere we are, involved in everything we do and not just the end result?  What do you think? 

About the Author:

:  Lorene Stunson Hill is a new aspiring author from Florida, USA.  Her first fiction novel, an E-book is titled; "To Dance with Ugly People," and is now available in Paperback.  Lorene was born in St. Louis, Missouri but grew up in Detroit, Michigan then moved to Central Florida. Her life was not as she would have wished it to be; one of ease and luxury.  In fact, the opposite was true.  She wished to make it more than it was and tell her impressions in a story, warts and all, to help others and help bring forth something good out of misery.  Family experiences are universal.  Lorene drew from the wealth of experiences placed in her path to create, "To Dance with Ugly People.”  Along that path she completed Creative Writing Courses at the University of Central Florida under the esteemed guidance of Professor Wyatt, Wyatt, who taught her that, if you want to write you cannot be a coward.  Lorene was never a coward.

Websites:

For a signed copy of, "To Dance with Ugly People," visit

 http://www.lockpublishing.com/lorene.html and purchase your copy.  I will sign and mail to you personally!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Todancewithuglypeople?ref=hl  

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3d3ErQoZsM)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hill008 

Blog:  https://uglypeoplecantdance.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/i-love-hot-topics-lets-discuss-ugly-people-hot-topics/ and http://www.lockpublishing.com/loreneblog.html)

Purchase link:

 Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/To-Dance-With-Ugly-People/dp/1499779909

About Lorene Stunson Hill

 

Lorene Stunson Hill is a new aspiring author from Florida, USA.  Her first fiction novel, an E-book is titled; “To Dance with Ugly People,” and is now available in Paperback.  Lorene was born in St. Louis, Missouri but grew up in Detroit, Michigan then moved to Central Florida. Her life was not as she would have wished it to be; one of ease and luxury.  In fact, the opposite was true.  She wished to make it more than it was and tell her impressions in a story, warts and all, to help others and help bring forth something good out of misery.  Family experiences are universal.  Lorene drew from the wealth of experiences placed in her path to create, “To Dance with Ugly People.”  Along that path she completed Creative Writing Courses at the University of Central Florida under the esteemed guidance of Professor Wyatt, Wyatt, who taught her that, if you want to write you cannot be a coward.  Lorene was never a coward.

Talk back, I'm listening along with others! Have a great day.

Valentine's night and other thoughts

Hope everyone has remembered to tell the one they value most in the world, that they love them. Love, one of the most powerful words we have in life. Do not be ashamed to share it. It is a good feeling that warms the soul.

For some reason, I have been hesitate to mention my books but tonight I want to speak of books I am writing on right now. I guess the closest one to being finished is "Saddle Spur" my one and only western. I have been doing a lot of research trying get the facts close to truth as I can. Like most followers know, I work on two or three books at once. "IronHeart" a story about a young man that loses his parents just before his eighteenth birthday, having to grow up and learn about life instead of living in his "football" world. And my third works called "Doomsday Rock" is about another young man having to leave the Convent he grew up in when the world fell apart. He has to learn about survival on the outside along with how to associate with people. A Slightly humorous story. My first attempt at writing anything humorous, yet still serious Dystopia book. 

Between writing, blogging and staying active on social media, I am still working with my editor team on my Chronicles series and Lightning Rages.  If you knew how my mind jumps from book to book, you would understand why I have started and written most of another three books, One called Jody's Dilemma; the other Cat's Cry and lastly,  The Zzumarians, a follow up to Lightning Rages. Jody and Cat are off shoots of Lightning Rages.

Have a great night, talk back, I'm listening!

The Hartford Inheritance by Jane A. Hobden- Guest post

 

Book Excerpt

We did everything together, usually pushed along by Sarah. She was the stronger, more independent and outspoken of the two of us. I was demure and painfully shy around everyone except my twin. If we were asked a question, I would look to Sarah, blushing scarlet whilst she answered. Sarah was able to articulate herself in a way that demanded adults pay attention. 

She would stand with her head tilted, a smile lighting her face, a twinkle in her eyes, her long tanned legs with grazes and cuts from top to bottom, twirling her black, tangled hair peeking out from beneath her crooked heavy fringe, with an air of aloofness that I once heard my dad describe as cockiness. My legs never displayed cuts or grazes and my knee-high socks were always pulled up as high as they would go in an effort to look smart.

  

Book Description

  Intense, gripping, psychological thriller.

As a child, Kitty Harmer had her world turned upside down when her twin sister, Sarah, was taken into care. Now aged 26 and struggling, she is contacted about the inheritance of a property she has never heard of miles away. Kitty seizes the opportunity and moves into Belford Hall, set on acres of land in Norfolk.

Kitty is soon drawn to the charms of the Norfolk countryside, and a local farmer. As she settles into the primitive manor house, she discovers a book titled Hartford Place locked in a library drawer. Kitty soon learns of the stories surrounding the Hall, a curse made in the 1800s and a past she knew nothing about. Her Hartford ancestors mirror Kitty with their raven hair and emerald eyes and have all suffered tragedy, with veiled secrets buried deep.

When the twins reunite, Sarah reveals a hardship that unsettles Kitty’s memories of her own childhood. Is there a curse on the Hartford family? Is there a ghostly presence at the Hall? This thriller takes Kitty on a journey through a past that emulates her future. With twists and turns through history and the present, you will be swept into the Hartford Inheritance and the passionate jealousy that shadows the identical twins through the generations.

 

About the Author

At school the only subject I excelled at and loved was English Literature and English Language. I left school at 16 and went to College to learn typing and shorthand and then went to work in a criminal

Solicitors where I progressed from a secretary to become a paralegal. I worked there until the birth of my daughter Harriet, 11 years ago. I loved the job and the people I worked with. The criminal Court system in the UK is an exciting area of law and every day is different. I met a array of people from different backgrounds and it was very character building. I enjoy helping people and being there to listen and this was a very large part of my job.

Though I didn’t return to the criminal Solicitors after my maternity leave, I continued in law and trained as a cost draftsman preparing legal aid bills for Solicitors. This is my current employ which is home based and which gives me an income and allows me to work as self-employed so that I can dedicate my  time to writing.

I would love nothing more than to be a full time author for I just love the whole process. I’ve got quite a vivid imagination and I love the process of writing thrillers for it is the type of books I love the most. I wrote my debut book The Hartford Inheritance in 2011. I became very ill in 2013 when I contracted

Strep A which has a kind of toxic shock effect on your joints. It can be fatal but fortunately I was under the care of an excellent orthopaedic team. It took me a long time to get the use of my left hand and foot back and when I was recovered, it made me more determined to publish my novel.

Since May 2014 when I published the book, I have had excellent feedback. Because no one apart from my husband and two very close friends knew that I had written a book, friends and family were really taken aback and have all been very supportive of me.  Apart from my wedding day and the births of my children, this is the proudest I have ever been of myself.

 

Website

Amazon 

Smashwords – The Hartford Inheritance by Jane A Hobden

Kobo – The Hartford Inheritance by Jane A Hobden

Facebook – /jsnr.hobden1

Twitter - @janenobbshobley

32 Seconds by Johana K. Pitcairn book tour-Guest post

A.G.Moye http://booksbyagmoye.blogspot.com
 Guest post: First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. Every indie author needs all the support they can get, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received and am receiving.

 My today’s topic will be about writing: how to put words into a story, and how to fight the writer’s block. When I started writing, I had one idea in mind, and I followed it. I didn’t know how to plot, even less edit. I wrote everything that crossed my mind, and my story was a real stream of consciousness. There were lots of redundancies, and a bunch of back stories that had no purpose in the story besides giving you a ton of useless information about the characters. I wrote the first draft, and I circulated it among the Twitter community. Whoever wanted to read it got it for free, and gave me feedback in return. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had started to reach out to beta readers.
The reactions were positive, and the only criticism I got was: do more show, and less tell. That was lesson number one.
 Lesson number two came when I submitted the story to my then publisher. The comments were: the plot isn’t tight enough, and there’s too much back story going on. We need more action. Between lesson one and two, I had redrafted the story twice already. And I was far from being done. Lesson three came from my editor: don’t think the reader is stupid. Redundancies are unnecessary. Every chapter is supposed to teach the reader something new, and make the story move forward. Parts that are written just for the sake of adding words to the book should be eliminated.
Okay, where was I now? Draft number six? In my head, I looked at my work like a pie chart, with slices of every color, the ones that needed to stay, the ones that were being cut, the ones that needed to be rewritten. A real headache.
32 Seconds was born in 2012. Over the span of two years, I left my publisher and decided to do it on my own, and the story grew, and grew, until I was satisfied with it.
Obviously, I hit a few corners more than once. And yes, I’m not immune to the writer’s block, but I found ways around it. I don’t write if my mind isn’t ready. I tend to be ready pretty much all the time, but when I’m tired, or hungry, no way. Writing is a creative process, it requires focus and a relaxed environment. So a few words of advice to all aspiring authors, and writers who wish to improve their work: read, connect with other authors, brainstorm, get your work critiqued, get your work edited (professionally), write efficiently (maintain a discipline) and, last but not least, have fun! Writing is a very fulfilling passion, but it requires a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I hope you enjoy 32 Seconds!

Talk Back I'm listening. This post is part of a book blog tour sponsored by

Spotlight post of Helen Treharne #RRBC

I am please to post this for Rave Reviews Book Club. They have their spotlight on Helen Treharne, writer of "Relative Strangers" a modern vampire story.   

Helen Treharne is the creator of the developing "Sophie Morgan Vampire Series" as well as short stories and other prose. Helen lives with her husband, three cats, an entrenched tea addiction and an increasing collection of stringed instruments. When she's not writing she spends her time daytime hours working in communications and volunteers for a feline welfare charity.  She also runs a very successful book blog, reviewing and promoting the work of other indie authors. She also can't stop purchasing stationery. She can be found at her blog, Facebook page and on Twitter.

Death in the Family will be available from Amazon 14th February – the perfect valentine gift for the vampire loving reader in your life! It is available for pre-order now. To celebrate the release, Relative Strangers will also be FREE to download from Amazon on 14th February. 

A little something about the main character-

Sophie Morgan - Unintentional Vampire Slayer and Confused Twenty- Something

Sophie isn't your typical heroine in this genre.  She doesn't fall in love with vampires. As far as she knows she has no preternatural strength or vampire slaying skill. She's just an ordinary university graduate trying to find her place in the world.

She is doing pretty well in life when we first meet her. She's got a good job, a decent enough flat and a handful of friends to share her spare time with. Sophie has never had much interest in relationships, viewing them as somewhat of a distraction, until recently. She has had one real boyfriend to speak of and it's ended abruptly... and horribly.

Her co-worker suggests that the pair head off on a holiday to help nurse Sophie's bruised ego. The trip pays off. The girls enjoy the sites of Antwerp in Belgium and discover a great Irish bar called O'Malley's.  While her pal hooks up, Sophie is happy chatting away to the owner and bar staff... and in particular the quirky Mickey Kelly. The pair click instantly.

Sadly, the young couple don't get chance to nurture their romantic life as they are too busy defending themselves from a vampire gang who cross their path. On her return to the UK, Sophie hopes to build on their relationship but sadly it isn't to be... for now.

When we leave Sophie Morgan at the end of Relative Strangers, book one in the "Sophie Morgan Vampire Series", she has beaten to death a vampire in her breakfast nook, discovered that Mickey has dropped off the grid and why, and is valiantly attempting to lead a normal life. What else could possibly go wrong?

Death in the Family is the long awaited sequel to Relative Strangers, with some familiar faces as well as some new ones.  Find out how our practical, resilient, if not slightly insecure, Sophie deals with a whole new range of challenges … not least of them her family!

Excerpt:

I tried to scream, but I couldn’t, the arm was curled so tightly around my throat it was making it impossible to breathe. Breathing through your nose isn’t easy when you’re in a blind panic, but I tried anyway.

Cold fingers were clamped over my cheek and the side of my mouth. I tried to move my jaw to at least get a bite of my attacker, but it was impossible. Why didn’t I go back with Mickey? Please Mickey, come back. Anyone, help me, please, please.

As we struggled in the confines of the doorway, I hoped that someone would come to my aid. Bars and nightclubs would be shutting their doors soon and that would surely mean someone would have to come by soon? All I had to do was stay alive long enough to be found. Surely Mickey would see me soon? But why would he? He would probably assume that I was totally unhinged by now and that I’d wandered off somewhere. My thoughts were racing as I struggled and my head was throbbing.

Then the searing pain ripped through my body. I couldn’t tell what was happening, but I knew it wasn’t good. First, there was an ice cold stabbing sensation in my neck. Then came the burning, a river of heat surging through my veins. I’d never felt anything like it before. Coherence was terminated the instant I felt my flesh tear open. Blood poured down my neck.

I wasn’t sure what weapon he could be using, but I could feel his nose resting on the side of my chin, his mouth maneuvring itself around my neck, moving in a circular gnawing motion. Oh my God, I’m being bitten. Someone is actually biting me. What next? This cannot be happening? This can’t be real. What the ***? I can’t die like this.

Then everything went black.

I hope you enjoyed reading this excerpt enough to check out the book, adding it to your reading list especially on Valentine's Day when it will be free. You can't ask for anything better than that. 

Talk back, I'm Listening! Have a great day.

The Morning after, day two!

This year, it is only a couple of months old, I have been drinking more than normal. Not just having a drink every now and then but several when I do. Yesterday, I was in a state of funk after a long night of drinking. Last night, I had a couple of drinks that brought me out of my state of funk where I did not feel like doing a thing. I didn't work on any of my books like I normally do. Instead watched a rerun of the first Harry Potter with my wife. I remember watching it with my grandchildren the first time and it brought back positive, happy memories. It is the type of movie that the whole family can enjoy. Then I went to bed early waking up feeling great. Today should be a good writing day. I think I will work on "IronHeart" one of my books.  What are your plans for the day? Are you going to do something with the family or hide yourself away? 

Talk back, I'm listening. 

He's Mine by Bernadette Y. Conner- Elite Tour post-Guest post

I am pleased to present Elite  book Tour Promotions as a guest post.

Here is an excerpt from her great book-

Miles arrived at his smoked glass and chrome tower, and as he opened the door, a breathtaking long, lean, sleek-haired beauty whisked pas him. Obviously, she was running late. The intimate scent of her perfume caressed Miles's nose and locked his mind. If anyone else was in the lobby he never noticed them. 

Miles's eyes followed the beautiful, aromatic woman as her eyes feverishly scanned the large office directory. Without hesitation, she headed for the elevators, forcing Miles to speed up to ensure getting there with her. Inside, he smiled warmly and inspected her more closely. She smiled back, dropped her eyes demurely and stared straight ahead.

The elevator doors closed silently. Either her perfume was intoxicating Miles, or she was without a doubt the most flawless creature he had ever seen. 

What some had to say about this book-

“He’s Mine! is a gripping tale of love, dysfunctional relationships, deceit, passion, infidelity and unrequited love.  Bernadette Connor writes unapologetic, in your face prose with her searing human touch.  Connor’s seventh novel is a must-read and will keep you guessing about the fate of Patrice Mays and Miles Alexander, until the last page.”

-         Thelma Balfour, author of Black Love Signs and Black Sun Signs (Touchtone/Simon & Schuster)

"Using passion and intrigue as her thread, Ms. Connor has woven a fascinating story. HE'S MINE! is a tale you'll remember long after you turn the last page!"

-         B. Berry, author of Clothesline Blues and Cold Crazy(series)

“Love, murder and mayhem.  It is a love story after all!”

-         Lori Bryant Woolridge, Emmy winner and author of Can't Help The Way That I Feel

About The Author

Bernadette Y. Connor is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born at home in a one-room apartment in North Philadelphia; the fourth of five children. To help her family financially, she sang rhythm and blues in many of the local nightclubs until she graduated from Dobbins Vocational Area High School in 1969 and was hired as a secretary by Sun Oil Company.

Bernadette’s first love was music, but she found herself writing poetry. Some of her earliest writings were published in SCLC monthly magazine. Both singing and writing had to take a back burner to caring for her family, but midnight often found her doodling. A divorced mother of three, Bernadette saw that all of her children graduated from college.

Bernadette found her niche’ at AT&T as a communications technician. With the merger came a lay-off and she saw as an opportunity to begin a new career, but that was put on hold by a series of medical problems and finally the devastation of the brutal murder of her eldest son on Christmas Eve of 1991. Her zest for life, travel and adventure were nearly extinguished. However, Bernadette’s thoughts slowly returned to writing.

The literary fire was stoked by reacquainting herself with her earlier poems. Bernadette embarked on yet another adventure. She wrote a simple love story called “Finally” that opened the gate to an avalanche of works . . . 13 novels and 7 screenplays. Bernadette’s published debut novel, “Damaged!”, the first psychological thriller ever written and published by an African American garnered her a spot in “Who’s Who In America 2004”. Publishers Weekly dubbed her the “genre-crossing writer” and she loves the distinction.

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/HES-MINE-Bernadette-Y-Connor-ebook/dp/B00MSXFQEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422475607&sr=1-1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bernadetteyconnor/info?tab=page_info

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/226340.Bernadette_Y_Connor

Book Tour Schedule: http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/book-tours/

Talk back, I'm listening and be sure to check out other sites on this tour, you will find each one different and interesting. You are always welcome to follow this blog, just think, I might be reviewing your book next or talking about a subject you find interesting.

Are you like me; trying to be present at too many locations or performing too many tasks?

Sometimes it seems like I am overloaded, trying to do too much at once. Being a blogger, reviewer and a writer takes up a lot of time. Maybe tonight I am feeling overwhelmed. I need to read for book reviews, stay on top of my social media accounts, GoodReads, LinkedIn and all the blogs I follow. Then comes my email and other contacts, where does this leave me time to write? I also have to work with my editor on several books I want to get published this year. I have tried to set a schedule to create free time to write, but it is not working that well. How do you find time to write if you are doing all the others? To cut down on my reading for reviews, I have been hosting several blog tours but even then, most want you to review or do an author interview that is time consuming. 

I know I am just ranting to let off steam, but some times you just have to. I am like the little boy with his hand in the dike, I didn't realize I was taking on so much until now. I don't even have time to promote any of my work, I am too busy promoting others to even bother with it. I have been burnt doing my own promoting, so I have become gun shy. When I first learned that it was my job to promote my own books, I made the mistake of announcing to everyone on LinkedIn on all the threads about the release of my latest book. Boy, did I get into trouble. That has made me very reluctant to mention them at all. Occasionally, I will mention one of them on this blog, but very seldom. I don't want my readers to become annoyed.

Hopefully, I didn't bore you to death with this rant, Talk back, I'm listening!